THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM

People always discuss the question of “What makes Christianity different from all the other religions of the world?” Is it the belief that God became a human being? Is it the belief in the resurrection? I think one of the most important characteristics which distinguish Christianity with other religions, is the doctrine of Grace. On this day as we come together to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism, the second reading from the Letter to Titus focuses on us as people who have been saved through the grace of baptism. Saint Paul says: “For when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according of his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”. Here we see the meaning of grace. G-R-A-C-E spells God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. The salvation we have received is not in payment for any good works we might have done but a free and unconditional gift of God. In baptism God wipes away all our sins and no longer holds us accountable for them. This is what we have come to celebrate.

            With the doctrine of grace, Christian faith shows itself unique among all other faiths. Other religions hold that God rewards the just and punished the wicked. We might say that Christian faith also believes in the justice of God. But we also believe that God forgives us our trespasses and treats us much better than we deserve. This is grace. This is unmerited favor; being born again, being born from water and the Spirit as we heard it in the gospel. Baptism makes of us God’s children not because we merit it, not because we worked for it, but because of God’s grace, because of God’s mercy, because of God’s love to us.

            There are no preconditions for receiving God’s grace. That is why even babies can receive baptism. There are no requirements to be baptized, but there are consequences. Saint Paul says again: “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly”. God’s grace brings us salvation, but it also requires us henceforth to renounce worldliness and embrace godliness. To receive God’s grace is free and unconditional. But to remain in God’s grace demands a response from us. This response is that we say no to the devil, and that we submit to God and lead our lives in submission to God’s holy will. In other words, we who have received the grace of baptism must endeavor to live up to our baptismal promises.

When we bring our children in Church for baptism, we accept the duty to teach them the catholic faith. They are here and do not know what is going on, but it is on the account of our faith as parents and godparents that they are baptized. It is a big responsibility that we should help these children to grow in faith, to know God and to love him. It is not a contract that might end at a certain time; it is a permanent responsibility until we meet with our Lord. It is of no need if we bring our children here for baptism, but we are not committed to help them grow in faith.

            As we welcome today our brothers and sisters in the Church through the sacrament of baptism, let us thank God for the free gift of salvation through the grace of baptism. Let us also earnestly ask him for the grace to keep us faithful to our own baptismal promises.